ACTOR John Thaw, star of Inspector Morse and The Sweeney, died yesterday aged 60, his family said.

He had been battling cancer of the oesophagus and died at his home in Wiltshire.

His wife, actress Sheila Hancock, said: "John died with his family around him."

The star announced on June 19 last year that he was undergoing treatment for the disease, but vowed to get back on screen as soon as he could.

In a statement released through family friend Marshall Stewart, Ms Hancock said her husband died during the afternoon.

She said: "We have all been so grateful for the thousands of letters and messages from people wishing him well.

"Everyone, including the media, have been wonderful during this difficult period, and I would like them all to know how much their support and understanding has meant to him and to all of us."

Thaw, who picked up a Bafta fellowship last year, saw Ms Hancock fight back from breast cancer 13 years ago.

He appeared in a string of popular dramas such as Kavanagh QC and The Sweeney.

Ms Hancock, who is 69 today, gave no more details about her husband's death.

One of the first to pay tribute to Thaw was ITV's director of channels, David Liddiment, who said: "Throughout his distinguished career, John understood the power of the small screen. He was the consummate television actor and caught the imagination of millions of viewers.

"He will be sorely missed.

"Our thoughts are with Sheila and his family."

Rada-trained Thaw landed his first film role in 1962 in the landmark film The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner.

But he found his greatest successes with TV and caught the critics' eyes as Sergeant John Mann in the series Redcap. He was catapulted to stardom in 1974 as hardman Jack Regan in gritty cop series The Sweeney, and a spin-off movie landed him the Evening Standard Best Film Actor of the Year Award in 1977.

Morse, perhaps his best-known character, whom he played for 13 years, was killed off in 2000.